Triduum:  And You Thought the Mass was Long Today

            The Palm Sunday Mass can be one of the longer celebrations of the Liturgical Year.  But there is one Liturgy that surpasses it by a mile — the Triduum. 

            Triduum is Latin for “three days.”  And those three days, using the Old Testament tradition that a “day” begins at sundown on the previous day, begin on Holy Thursday evening and end with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday.  By the way “Triduum” is pronounced “TREE-do-oom.”

            In this extraordinary moment, when public Masses are prohibited, we will celebrate the Triduum in a unique way.  St. Peter will live-stream the liturgies of the Triduum at the originally scheduled times.  Here are some ways you might participate in the Triduum even though we will not be gathering in our church for any part of this profoundly beautiful observance.

 

Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper,      7 pm Thursday

            The Triduum begins here, with a remembrance of the Last Supper, and the Institution of the Eucharist.  But the Gospel is not about bread and wine; it’s about the Washing of Feet.  The Church celebrates Jesus’s remarkable act and lesson of service to others in humility, and connects this directly with the Eucharist.  Prior to watching the live-stream of this Mass, you might prepare to wash each other’s feet at home.  A bowl of warm water and a towel is all you need.  When this part of the Mass comes along, there will be several minutes of reflective music to give you time to engage in this small but meaningful ritual.

 

Good Friday, Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion

            There is no Mass on Good Friday, this liturgy is a continuation of the one that began on Thursday evening.  This Liturgy has four parts:  Liturgy of the Word including the proclamation of the Passion according to John, Solemn General Intercessions, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion.  Prior to watching this liturgy, you might have a crucifix on hand so that you can venerate the cross at home — you can kneel before the cross or bow solemnly.  Vatican guidelines for Veneration of the Cross this year specifically discourage kissing the cross.

           

Easter Vigil

            This exquisite and elaborate celebration begins with the blessing of fire and the lighting of the Paschal (it means Easter) Candle, and then continues with an extended Liturgy of the Word that may have up to seven Old Testament readings, each with a Responsorial Psalm, an Epistle reading, and the Gospel.  Following this is the Blessing of Baptismal Water, the Baptism of any candidates for Baptism (we have none this year), the Reception and Confirmation of any candidates for Reception into the Church (we have one candidate this year), the Renewal of Baptismal Promises, the Sprinkling of the People (omitted this year), and the continuation of the Mass as usual from the Preparation of the Gifts through dismissal

 

Easter Sunday

            This, at least, needs no special explanation.  We simply rejoice at the news of the Risen Christ!  May we find in this unique time of challenge the real message of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ:  Death is vanquished, and we are saved!